MCAV Board of Management

MCAV Office Bearers

The Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria is an incorporated Association. The association was formed by grazing families to work together to save grazing leases and the history and cultural identity of the mountain cattlemen. The association is based on four geographical branches, North East, Gippsland, Omeo and Mansfield. A Board of Management oversees the association and each branch delegates two representatives to the board.

In addition, the executive positions of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting.

President

Cass McCormack (pictured right) was elected as a second generation MCAV President at our November AGM, held in Omeo. The McCormacks still retain a High Country Grazing lease in the King Valley, and each summer push their Angus herd up into the mountains, just like they have been doing for more than 150 years. Bruce also runs trail rides from his farm in Merrijig.

Vice President

Ben Treasure comes from many generations of Mountain Cattlemen with licences on the Dargo High Plains. He is the son of Doug Treasure, a revered former President of the MCAV. Ben lives with his wife Fiona and family in Traralgon and has spent many years in the VP slot of the MCAV.

Treasurer

Cameron Nash was elected as Treasurer with the MCAV at the November AGM. Cameron has a long history with the Gippsland region and has already well established himself as our 'go-to' guy for questions about finance, policy and general administration.

Secretary

Ken Heywood is the Secretary of the MCAV. Ken Heywood owns part of Catherine Station in North East Victoria, and has been the secretary for many years. He is a valued member of the group, who can always be relied on for sound advice.

Projects Officer

Chris Commins is the Projects Officer of the MCAV.

The Commins' family grazing licences are on Nunniong Plateau, North of Ensay. First acquired by James Lilburne Commins in 1934 and subsequently his sons, James, Philip and Charles Commins. Current licence holders are Bruce and Chris Commins along with Philip (Bluey) Commins. The family has had a strong involvement with the MCAV since its creation. Jim Commins was a Foundation Member and President of the MCAV for ten years from 1977 to 1987. His son Chris, was Vice President for several years before becoming President 2010 to 2011. Chris is currently the MCAV representative on the Fire Management Victoria Stakeholder Roundtable and MCAV Liaison for the Indigenous Firestick Burning Program.

Get Together Co Ordinator

Tania Coleman

Tania is from the Gippsland branch of the MCAV, and has taken on the role of 2023 Get Together Coordinator. Tania is enthusiastic and an absolute go-getter - there is no doubt in anyone's mind she will make our next G2G a cracker of an event.

Board of Management

  • Cass McCormack (President)
  • Ken Heywood (Secretary)
  • Ben Treasure (Vice President)
  • Cameron Rash (Treasurer)
  • Tania Coleman (Get Together)
  • Chris Commins (Special Projects)
  • Dave Stoney
  • Rose Faithfull
  • Chris Hodge
  • Phillip Ryder
  • Lyric Anderson
  • Simon Turner
  • Bruce Treasure
  • Bruce McCormack (Past President)
  • Chris Lewis (Associate Member)

Office Manager

Rhyll McCormack

Rhyll is the person you are most likely to speak to when you contact the MCAV, and is in charge of keeping the office up to date with issues, subscriptions, meeting notices and everything in between.

If you have an issue you think the MCAV should be looking into, want to tell us something or simply feel like a chat, you can send her an email at secretary@mcav.com.au